TJ 34 vs. Blackhawk 14

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WPIAL Class AAA Championship: TJ measures its success with different yardstick

Thomas Jefferson vs. Blackhawk

Thursday, November 20, 2008

By Colin Dunlap, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A few high school football players in Southwestern Pennsylvania go through those sun-drenched preseason drills, fight through the regular season and then grit their way through the first few rounds of the playoffs with one common goal -- winning a WPIAL championship.

Well, almost all strive for such an accomplishment.

Consider what Thomas Jefferson's standout senior running back, Brian Baldrige, had to say as his Jaguars (11-1) prepared for a matchup against Blackhawk (11-1) at 5 p.m. Saturday at Heinz Field for the WPIAL Class AAA title.

"To be honest, our measuring stick is the state championship," Baldrige said. "We are excited about this WPIAL championship game, but, in a way, it is also just another game for us on the way to our ultimate goal, the state championship.

"With our football program and our community, we don't get measured with WPIAL titles, we get measured by winning a PIAA title."

Maybe that's because Thomas Jefferson has cornered the market on WPIAL titles -- winning the championship the past two seasons and three of the past four.

When the Jaguars take the field Saturday, they will be playing in their sixth consecutive WPIAL championship.

And it is easy to see why they have advanced to this point.

Baldrige, one of the top rushers in the WPIAL, rolled to 382 yards on 32 carries in the Jaguars' semifinal victory against New Castle. He has 1,821 yards with 25 touchdowns this season.

But the scary part about this Thomas Jefferson team is they can do a lot more than run the ball.

Senior quarterback Tyler Wehner has rebounded masterfully after being removed from the team at the tail end of the regular season last year. He has thrown for more than 2,000 yards this season, completing 95 of 178 attempts and also tossing 25 touchdown passes.

Blackhawk's Joe Hamilton, who will coach in his 10th title game, knows why Thomas Jefferson has advanced to the pinnacle of WPIAL football.

"They have all the ingredients it takes," said Hamilton, whose team's only loss was against West Allegheny in Week 6. "Thomas Jefferson has big, strong linemen. They have good skill with their receivers and backs. Then, they have that quarterback who has really improved and is very, very good.

"Combine that all together with a philosophy that they are versatile on offense and that makes them very good."

All that said, Hamilton could be playing coy, because his team is also very good.

The Cougars are paced on the ground by running back Bryan Stefanik (1,131 yards, 13 touchdowns), but through the air is where they have made the most of their opportunities this season.

Hamilton has gone away from his signature run-heavy offense, choosing to go with a controlled spread, high-percentage passing attack engineered by quarterback Zack Hayward, who has completed 142 of 215 passes for 1,825 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Jake Delmonico has been his primary target with 51 receptions for 582 yards and eight touchdowns.

Thomas Jefferson's players know the impact Hayward's arm could have on the championship game.

"We need to keep the football out of his hands," Baldrige said.

"We need to make sure we don't make mistakes and give them the ball. I think everyone knows Blackhawk has a quarterback, that if they protect him, he can pick apart any defense. He is really good if he gets some time to throw it. We just need to make sure to keep it out of his hands."